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Children preparing to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, or Confirmation at St. Paul Parish participate in our parish sacramental preparation process in addition to their ongoing religious education through Sunday PREP, Summer Academy, or St. Paul School.
Students must be enrolled in the appropriate grade-level religious education program (for at least two years) and complete the required curriculum before receiving a sacrament.
If your student is beyond Grade 2 or Grade 8 and has not received the sacraments typically celebrated in those grades, please contact the Office of Religious Education. -
Additional Requirements
- All students receiving a sacrament must participate in the Acts of Faith Passport program. The Acts of Faith Passport program helps students put their faith into practice through liturgical experiences, service opportunities, and participation in parish life.
- All students receiving a sacrament and parents are required to participate in sacramental preparation retreats. These retreats help students grow more comfortable with the sacraments while giving parents a better understanding of the celebrations and what to expect.
- 2nd graders will participate in a full-morning sacramental preparation retreat at St. Paul Parish in January.
- 7th graders will participate in a grade-level retreat at St. Paul Parish in preparation for their 8th grade year of catechesis.
- 8th graders will participate in an afternoon retreat for parents and candidates at St. Paul Parish in October, as well as the annual Diocesan Youth Conference.
- 8th graders will also participate in the SPY 4:12 program, led by Mrs. Ann Schwimmer and Mrs. Gostkowski. Meetings will take place after the monthly Teen Mass from September through March.
- All students receiving a sacrament must participate in the Acts of Faith Passport program. The Acts of Faith Passport program helps students put their faith into practice through liturgical experiences, service opportunities, and participation in parish life.
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Do you attend SPS?
Students who attend St. Paul School must register separately for sacramental preparation. Students enrolled in Sunday PREP or Summer Academy are already registered through those programs and do not need to register again.
Sacrament Fees:
First Reconciliation/First Holy Communion: $50
Confirmation: $75
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Ministry Coordinators
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jgostkowskistpaulsofprinceton.orgDirector of Religious Education -
Teresa Kalinatkalinastpaulsofprinceton.orgReligious Education Assistant
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All About Reconciliation & Eucharist
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A child normally receives the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (First Holy Communion) during Grade 2. This two-year program begins in 1st grade and continues in 2nd grade. The 1st grade curriculum provides a child with adequate knowledge of the Catholic faith in order to understand the sacraments they will celebrate the following year.
During 2nd grade students receive additional sacramental curriculum. The Blessed series by Dynamic Catholic is used for preparation. This child-appropriate curriculum has online resources, allowing families to be on the journey with their child.
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Per the policies of the Diocese of Trenton, a child must celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the celebration of First Holy Communion. St. Paul Parish generally celebrates communal First Reconciliation services in the winter of grade 2. First Holy Communion is celebrated during the Easter Season at special liturgies at the beginning of May. Parents may instead choose to celebrate their child's First Holy Communion at a regularly scheduled Sunday Mass during Easter.
In addition to learning in a catechetical setting (e.g., religious education program, Catholic school), a child preparing for these sacraments is expected to participate in preparation activities, such as retreats and our Acts of Faith passport program.
We recognize that families face many challenges. If your child is enrolled in a higher grade and has not received these sacraments, please contact the Religious Education Office for more formational options.
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All About Confirmation
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We ask that Candidates choose their sponsor by October, and that all forms must be completed online by the deadline provided for each grade level. To ensure a place as a sponsor, two items must be completed:
- The Candidate and their family must complete the required form.
- If the sponsor is not registered at St. Paul Parish, they must request a Letter of Eligibility from their home parish.
Please note the following:- Eligibility requirements for sponsors are listed below. Siblings who meet the requirements may serve as a sponsor; Parents may not.
- If a sponsor is unable to attend the Confirmation Celebration, a proxy sponsor may be chosen. The same eligibility requirements apply to the proxy. If a proxy is necessary, please contact Jaime directly [email protected]
Requirements for Sponsors:
According to Canon Laws (cc. 872-874, 893:1), sponsors for the sacrament of Confirmation must be:- 16 years of age or older
- Fully initiated Catholic (having received Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)
- Leading a life in conformity with the faith and the role of a sponsor
- Not bound by a canonical penalty (e.g., invalid marriage)
- Not a parent of the one to be confirmed
- The same as the sponsor (or godparent) for Baptism
- Male or female (i.e., female candidates may have male sponsors; male candidates may have female sponsors)
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Here are some details about the choice of a name for Confirmation.
- May retain baptismal name or choose new name (Diocese of Trenton. Parish Religious Education Administration Manual, Section 507:A. rev. 2012).
- New name must be name of a recognized saint of the Church (Diocese of Trenton. Parish Religious Education Administration Manual, Section 507:A. rev. 2012).
- Newly chosen name does not need to be gender consistent (Diocese of Trenton. Parish Religious Education Administration Manual, Section 507:C. rev. 2012).
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All children in 8th grade (SPS, Sunday PREP, Summer Academy) preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation will also be required to attend Mass and meetings during the academic year, either on Saturdays — Mass at 5:30pm followed by SPY 4:12 meetings from 6:30pm–8:00pm — or on Sundays — Mass at 5:00pm followed by SPY 4:12 meetings from 6:00pm–7:30pm. Attendance at additional special events and retreats will also be required.
As part of their preparation, students will participate in SPY 4:12 Group sessions held outside the classroom. These sessions not only enhance the Confirmation process but also help teens to transition into our parish youth ministry following the celebration of the sacrament. SPY 4:12 meets on the second or third Saturday or Sunday of each month from September through March. With a focus on evangelization and mission, the combination of Decision Point (Dynamic Catholic) and SPY 4:12 equips teens to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit at Confirmation and empowered to live as disciples well into adulthood. By the time they are confirmed, young people are expected to give witness to what it means to live faithfully as Catholics.We encourage all families and sponsors to journey alongside their Confirmation candidates during these two years by reviewing and sharing the online resources provided by Dynamic Catholic.
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Children preparing to receive Confirmation at St. Paul Parish must be enrolled in Sunday PREP, Summer Academy, or attend St. Paul School.
Like all parishes in the Diocese of Trenton, we follow a two-year preparation process during 7th and 8th grade. Students should have a 6th-grade level understanding of the Catholic faith before beginning, so they can fully engage with the lessons and discussions that lead to receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
If your child has been away from religious education for a year or more, we will work with you to determine the best placement and get them back on track for the Confirmation journey.
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